I hope you enjoyed our three days of Spring because Summer is upon us bringing with it all its beauty including the famous spur of the moment thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes. Although as a child I could not wait for the summer break, most notably for the opportunity to bask in the sun and indulge in the plethora of outdoor activities, as an adult I have somewhat of a love/hate relationship with the season. I love to barbecue but I hate humid weather. I love water but I hate mosquitoes. But probably the most aggravating thing about a Michigan summer is the unfortunate accumulation of subcutaneous adipose that has slowly crept its way onto my torso during what seemed to be the endless winter months thus reminding me of the effort I now have to put in order to wear that polo short sleeve shirt that I bought this past winter. Keeping with our promise, we’ve stayed active and engaged since the beginning of the year, whether it was by supporting other organizations fundraisers and missions, hosting a bowling event for membership at large and their families, or meeting with the founding dean of Oakland university William Beaumont school of medicine in hopes of building a relationship that is beneficial to both entities. These are but a few things we have done in the month of May. I would like you to save the date of November 15th as this will be the evening of our Annual Gala. This dinner has become the “Event” of the year for our Arab American community. Our guest this year is Nationally recognized Dean Obeidallah who is an attorney turned comedian and now hosts his own show on CNN. With awards given out, delicious middle eastern food, and entertainment by Dean, the night is surely to please all. Look to your email for information about purchasing tickets and sponsorship opportunities next month and make sure you reserve your seats early as this event is by invitation only and sells out quickly. As the school year comes to an end and summer vacation is upon us, I would like to wish all of you a safe, fun, and relaxing summer break. I will also be taking a break and reconnecting back with you in September, till then stay cool!